World champion Anand to defend title in Russia
Aug 10, 2011, 01.41AM IST CHENNAI: The Federation Internationale des Echecs (Fide) has allotted the 2012 world chess championship match between Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand of Israel to Russia.
The Fide announcement has come as a shock to Indian in general and Chennai in particular as the Tamil Nadu government had given the financial backing to All India Chess Federation (AICF) to organise the match in Anand’s hometown.
It is learnt that the Indian federation’s bid of $2.25 million lost out to Russia’s winning offer of $2.55 million. “Yeah, we are a bit disappointed but then Fide has given us the option of hosting the 2013 world title match,” said DV Sundar, Fide vice-president.
“I am looking at the positive. This gives us more time to plan our preparations. Let us hope Anand wins the match in Russia and play in India next time,” added Sundar.
The match will be held in May 2012 in Moscow, Russia .Fide president, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov expressed his gratitude AICF which worked very hard to put in a very competitive bid with the support of the government of Tamil Nadu.
The challenger, Boris Gelfand, liked the idea of playing the match in Moscow: “I wouldn’t say that I will be playing in Moscow like I was at home, but I’ll feel very comfortable in the Russian capital. I’m sure Anand will like it there too. The world champion has many fans in the Russian capital,” the challenger was quoted as saying. Anand was not available for comment.
While announcing the venue for the 2012 match, Ilyumzhinov said AICF would be given a first option of three months following the match in Moscow, to make a proposal for the organization of the world chess championship match 2013.
Fide also announced the women’s world chess championship match between women world champion Hou Yifan of China and the challenger Koneru Humpy of India, will be held in Tirana, Albania in November 2011 for a prize fund of 200,000 euros.
Under the terms of the tender, the organisers of the match must guarantee a minimum purse of one million euros and transfer a further 200,000 in dues to Fide.
Moscow was the first to make its bid back in June. “A serious sponsor has indicated an interest in the match between Anand and Gelfand being held in Moscow,” said Ilya Levitov, head of the Russian Chess Federation.
Initially, the benefactor’s name was kept secret, but later the Russian press said the man who is ready to provide $2.5 million for the world chess title match is Andrei Filatov, co-owner of the N-Trans Group of companies. Having a Candidate Master title himself, he has recently been acting as a chess patron. He paid for the restoration of a monument to Alexander Alekhine in Paris.
The last time Moscow hosted a world championship in chess was in 1985 between Gary Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov. However, Russia later held the Fide knockout world championship in 2002.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This is unfair. All world championships should be played in India.
Playing in his former home country ( USSR) is an advantage to Gelfand. Perhaps another ‘Toiletgate” on the cards?
Hi Susan Polgar,
Well,both great players will be comfortable irrespective of the venue.
Chess game is well nourished in Moscow,so its fine to exhibit excellence,in the land of jubilant aspirants for chess game.
No doubt,across world,chess game getting popularity immensely and contribution for chess is well distributed across globe – every nation should be appreciated.
Coming to the tournament,Anand knows that his competitor is wiser like him,so Anand will unfold his unknown skills and win the tournament – at no point,Anand will underestimate his opponent.
Expecting Chess feast.
By
Venky [ India – Chennai ]